Paul James Abbott

Paul James (PJ) Abbott of Forest, Virginia passed away on January 17, 2026 at the Bedford Memorial Hospital. Paul was a retired long-time Framatome employee, and a graduate of Lancaster High School, Lancaster, Ohio. Paul will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, his sharp memory, electrical knowledge and mechanical skills inherited from his father Jim. At Framatome, PJ was a very skilled video engineer, supervising countless inspections at nuclear plants and was particularly adept in the examinations of ships in our nuclear navy fleet. He was a life-long motorcycle enthusiast, having ridden, maintained and restored many bikes along the way. He was passionate about American history, and often frequented Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, where he contributed to repopulating American and Chinquapin Chestnut trees. Paul was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, enjoyed playing guitar and was never far from his truck riding canine companions, Abbey, Bart, Chief and Dusty. He was preceded in death by his parents James G and Lilyan B Abbott, sister Ruth E Abbott of Lancaster, Ohio, spouse Audrey Abbott and step daughter Deborah Viar Hubbard. He is survived by brother Philip A Abbott of Wake Forest, North Carolina, sister Carol A Abbott of Lancaster, Ohio, cousin Christine Dolgopol of Wheeling, Illinois, niece Katherine E Abbott of Raleigh, North Carolina, and step children William (Randy) Viar and Shawn Miller. Cremation has taken place at the Tharp funeral home in Bedford, and the family will hold a celebration of life at a date to be announced.